US to provide $100k for 'Sendong' relief efforts

Following President Benigno Aquino III’s declaration of a state of national calamity, the United States will provide $100,000 (P4.1 million) to support relief efforts for victims of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi).

 

US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. disclosed this as he expressed his "heartfelt condolences and sympathies" to those who lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods due to floods spawned by Sendong.

 

“From our discussions with the Philippine authorities, it appears that among the immediate needs of flood-affected communities are non-food emergency supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, and containers for potable water, so the United States’ initial contribution in this instance will be used to provide these types of items to the most-affected individuals in Mindanao,” Thomas said in a statement. 

 

“As a good friend and longstanding development partner, the United States will continue our work with the Philippine government and remain committed to help Filipinos overcome this great tragedy,” he added. As of Thursday morning, the death toll from Sendong stood at 1,010, making it the deadliest cyclone to hit the Philippines in the last 12 years. Also on Thursday, Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said relief efforts for victims of Sendong may have to be sustained until March 2012.  Immediate emergency assistance

 

Thomas said the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) will provide immediate emergency relief assistance in partnership with US-based non-governmental organization Catholic Relief Services.

 

Earlier this week, the USAID and OFDA sent a team to visit flood-hit areas in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities, two of the hardest-hit areas.

 

Assessments are now being conducted to determine whether additional U.S. funding may be needed to assist with relief and recovery operations.

 

The US Embassy said the US has been a key partner of the Philippines in addressing the humanitarian needs of Filipinos in times of disaster for 50 years.

 

It added the US was among the countries that took an active role in contributing to recovery efforts following cyclones "Reming" and "Milenyo" in 2006, "Frank" in 2008, and "Ondoy" in 2009. — RSJ, GMA News